logistical question

I loved Great Expectations, but there is one thing that I do not understand: if that old coot was constantly sending funds to Pip, to finance his "expectations" how did he afford it? Think about it, Pip got new cloths, was always in debt (and payed with the convicts money), had to "pay" rent, went to a nice schoo l-- and on top of that the old convict had to pay for the services of Mr. Jaggers! Now I know that the convict said that he sent "every shilling I ever touched to ya" but that is not enough! If some old loon worked at Mcdonalds for 10 years and gave me all his earnings, that would help get me a decent used Chevy, and pay the tuition at a state school. It just does not seem that this old bird would have made ENOUGH money. Unless he was doing nefarious deeds, but Dickens only hints and it drives me nuts!

Believe it of not I'm really puzzled by this one-- the above questions seem so basic. I can't believe I'm the only one who has every wondered about this.

You must remember that Magwitch inherited a lucrative business in Australia from his master. In chapter 39 Magwitch says "I got money left me by my master (which died, and had been the same as me), and got my liberty and went for myself. In every single thing I went for, I went for you. 'Lord strike a blight upon it' I says, wotever it was I went for, 'if it ain't for him!' It all prospered wonderful. As I giv' you to understand just now, I'm famous for it. It was the money left me, and the gains of the first few year wot I sent home to Mr Jaggers -- all for you -- when he first come arter you, agreeable to my letter."

But where did the master get the money to invest in the first place? Money is mysterious. Who knows where it comes from? Deus providebit. If you live the way you are called to live, you'll never be miserable. You may be poor, but that usually only lasts for a while, as a test. Most people waste money. Is a television set really necessary? Reading books does so much more for you, even capacitating you for better jobs. I remember a true story. I live in a third world country. An old man in rags came at night to an old folks home. The home was filled to capacity and was in debt. They tried to refuse him. He would not take No for an answer. He told them that he had money in the bank. They did not believe him, but finally they accepted him. He told them the next day to find a lawyer so that he could sign over his account to them. They laughed under their breath, but got a lawyer for him, and he signed a paper. The lawyer pretended to take all this seriously. Three days later the old man died. They went to the bank. The man had the equivalent of $30,000 dollars in his account. What had he done all his life? He would walk the streets looking for bits and pieces of iron. He would turn them in to a place where they made outdoor spits for grilling meat. This is all he did for a living, and he lived like a desperately poor man.

I believe the master was in the cattle/ sheep business.